President calls for 'Africa Plan' to further engagement, investment

2018/04/21 15:36:33

President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文)

Taipei, April 21 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) revealed Saturday that she has instructed the National Security Council (NSC) to come up with an "Africa Plan" that brings together government agencies, representative offices on the continent, technical missions and Taiwanese business people to further engage with and invest in Africa.

Speaking at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport upon her return from Swaziland, Tsai remarked on her four-day visit to the African kingdom during which much was discussed and planned about what each country can do to support the other.

The president mentioned at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Swaziland's independence and the 50th birthday of King Mswati III Thursday Taiwan's support of a Swazi 2022 development plan and Swaziland's support of Taiwan's international participation.

On two separate occasions, Tsai called Taiwan's two African allies -- Swaziland and Burkina Faso -- "springboards" for Taiwan to expand its reach into more of Africa.

To this end, Tsai said, she has instructed the NSC to come up with a plan that will bring together the forces of all relevant agencies and groups to make this a reality.

Tsai was able to witness firsthand many of Taiwan's initiatives in education, medicine, infrastructure development and agriculture during her time in Swaziland, and described the goodwill and friendship that these missions have yielded as the important foundation of Taiwan's path to the international world.

The president asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to review the needs and benefits of these initiatives and missions so that the government can continue to support and encourage their work.